Hackney Council for Voluntary Service

Hackney Council for Voluntary Service (Hackney CVS), an independent charity founded in 1997, empowers Hackney’s voluntary and community sector to foster a fairer society and resilient local responses to diverse community needs. Rooted in values of social justice, collaboration, fairness, inclusion, and integrity, it acts as a capacity builder, grantmaker, advocate, and convener, blending funding with infrastructure support, strategic partnerships, and grassroots innovation to drive systemic change, amplify underrepresented voices, and tackle entrenched inequalities.

It prioritises projects addressing health and social inequalities, mental health and wellbeing (especially for Black and minoritised youth), youth empowerment, social inclusion, violence reduction, digital exclusion, food insecurity, and poverty. Funding supports marginalised groups in Hackney—including young people, ethnic minorities, those with disabilities or long-term conditions, and multiply disadvantaged residents—via programmes like multi-year Core Grants for organisational resilience, Project Innovation Fund for pilots, Healthy Hackney grants, Black and Global Majority infrastructure support, and themed funds for cost-of-living crises or partnerships.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, constituted community groups, or social enterprises based in or delivering primarily to the London Borough of Hackney (with 80%+ beneficiaries as residents), prioritising grassroots and small/medium organisations with incomes typically under £250,000. Typical grants range from £5,000–£60,000 (e.g., £20,000–£60,000/year for up to five years via Core Grants; £10,000 max for projects). Applications follow a two-stage process: online Expression of Interest (EOI) during advertised rounds, then full proposals with panel review (8–12 weeks to decision). No religious restrictions; excludes non-Hackney work, large capital projects, or unrestricted uses beyond core strands. Check hcvs.org.uk for 2025/26 rounds and newsletters, distinguishing Hackney CVS through its community-driven, co-produced approach and deep local embeddedness.